What are the Benefits of Drinking an Adequate Amount of Water? Share this page:

What are the Benefits of Drinking an Adequate Amount of Water?*

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• Water helps to prevent constipation:

As we get older, constipation becomes more of an issue for seniors due to many different factors.  However, drinking an adequate amount of water daily, along with exercise, eating enough fiber, etc. helps to alleviate constipation.

• Water helps avoid dehydration:

Our bodies sweat in order to cool us down.  But without enough water, you can sweat away too much fluid and could start experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, shakiness.  Remember to drink before you get thirsty, because thirst is a sign that our body is already becoming dehydrated.

• Adequate water helps to keep your heart healthy:

Being even mildly dehydrated can have effects on your heart similar to nicotine.  Water helps to keep your blood volume adequate helps to maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate.

• You sweat adequately:

In this example, that is a good thing!  When our bodies become overheated, we sweat.  That is, if we have enough fluid in our body to produce sweat.  Sweat cools down our body through the process of evaporation from skin.  So, if you are going to be outside in the heat or plan to exercise, drink a couple glasses of water one to two hours before you begin.

• Water is essential for organ function:

Water is essential to our brain cells in order that we think, remember, react, and concentrate as well as we should.

Water helps kidneys remove waste from our blood.  Without enough water, that waste can build up, lead to kidneys getting clogged up with proteins and other acids. Staying well hydrated also helps to prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

Skin is the largest organ in our body (yes, skin is classified as an organ).  Staying well hydrated keeps our skin supple, improves, skin tone, prevents premature aging, reduces puffiness and itchy skin, and promotes faster healing.

• Water protects our tissues, spinal cord, and joints:

It does this by acting as a cushion and lubricant for these areas.

• How much water does our body need?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men consume 3.7 liters (15.5 cups), and women get 2.7 liters (11.5 cups) of fluids per day, which can come from water, beverages in general, and fruits and vegetables.  

If you are unsure of whether you’re getting enough water, after urinating, look at the color.  Very pale yellow to light yellow indicates you are well hydrated.  Darker yellow is a sign of dehydration.  And brown urine indicates you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

• Can you drink too much water?

Drinking too much water can dilute the sodium in our blood enough to make us sick and interfere with the electrolyte activity of our heart.  We also need to be careful if we have health issues that limit our intake of water or are on medications that cause us to retain fluid.  Drink enough so that your urine is a pale yellow, but not so much that it stays clear or that you urinate multiple times daily. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.

*As always, any medical or dietary advice written in this blog is to be taken with a note of caution.  Speak to your health care provider before making any changes to your fluid intake.